Workmen's advocate., 1887-03-12
MINNEAPOLIS, Mlnu,

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Feb 4, 1887.
 To He U'orhme,'s Adr0cate:
 Socialism in Minnesota found but few adherents until recently. For fact, very few people understood Socialism. They, like others, had read in the capi- talistic papers about these fry agitators, these cut-throats of society, the despoil- CTS of communities and destroyers of civilization, so that here, like elsewhere, misconception went out amongst the people as to what Socialism was and who Socialists were. It was not until the great explosion in Chicago on the 4th of May, 1886, that shook the very ramparts of our present society and set nation of fools to thinking that sort of revival among the masses took place, and the stern issue, Socialism, elbOwed it's way through the whirlwind of excitement and calmly came before the minds of a mad dened and terrified people. It made its way even to the much boasted, of pros- pering Minnesota. How inquisitive every body suddenly became. Socialism at last was heard, and those who had never given the subject thought now began to consider it seriously. They began to investigate the subject, and as result of this investigation came to the conclu- sion that corruption had blocked the highway of human progress somewhere, and resolved to find out the true cause. The Germans were already organized, ,and had been for several years. They had formed themselves into section for the purpose of educating themselves up to the doctrine of Socialism rather than making it an object to increase in membership and numbers. It was. however, not un- til July 1886 that the good Philistines of Minneapolis were mortified to learn that real live Socialists were amongst them to abuse their good, charitable, prospering institutions. Soon after Scandinavian section was organized, and then followed the formation of central committee Socialism began to boom, and right lively too. Large meetings were held every other Sunyay in prominent halls. The capitalistic press, it is needless to say, gave us plenty of free advertising, which only assisted us in increasing our numbers. So fast did the seeds of So- cialism grow and spread, that it was thought best to organize an American section, which was forthwith carried out, and on the 2Sth day of November, four months later, we had a German, Scandinavian and American section of the Socialistic Labor party. The lying capitalistic papers came out with more free advertising for our cause, which accordingly swelIed our numbers, so much so that on January ?, 1887, 1t f-, tTN -h<tx body so as to bring all the different sec tions into one body and hold section meetings collectively, C. Q. the Germans, Scandinavians and Americans all to- gether in one body. Our meetings on Sunday afternoons have been well at tended and much interest by those pres ent shown. Our Christmas festival, held in Martins hall, was largely at tended and proved a great success, both financially and otherwise. The Bohe mians and Scandinavians, especially the Danes, and large portion of Germans in this city are fast becoming Socialstic in sentiment. There are also quite num- Der of American, Irish and French So- cialists in this city, but they do not be- long to our organization for fear of los ing their situations. Among the best known of our Socialstic agitators in this State may be named Otto Haese, Fritz Gellerup, Blumemberg anu H. Puck> These people, as q leading paper of this city some time ago said, may be but few, but they carry on with vigor and energy the work of spreading dissatisfaction among the laboring classes. True. and that Is just what We propose to do until the laboring classes won't have any more dissatisfaction to complain of. We mean business and propose to stick to our busi- ness so long as we are able.